TSA Facing Backlash From Pilots And Fliers Over Full Body Scanners

By Ranjan BhaduriNov 13, (THAINDIAN NEWS) The public protest against the full body scanners installed at 60 airports of the USA is only growing with time. However, it is not that passengers are only enraged with this setup. The flight attendants are echoing what the pilots are saying on the issue and they are up in arms against the TSA. They are of the opinion that the system is unnecessary, intrusive and can also cause risk to them. The unions are also backing them saying the new full body scanners not only violate modesty but also poses health risk. The security screening at important and busy US airports has been stepped up after a series of failed terrorist attempts took place in several places of USA. The parents of children, regular fliers and the flight attendants are opposing the use of the newly installed full body scanners saying that they are way too intrusive.

Apart from intruding into one’s privacy the full body scanners of TSA are causing delay in holiday travel season. Air Line Pilots Association president John Prater opposed the move by TSA saying that “Pilots are not the terrorist threat”. He also criticized the entity for wasting scare resources on pilots.

The alternative of a full body scanner, namely a patdown has not gone down with the pilots well. Both female and male pilots have complained that it does make them feel uneasy. John Pistole the TSA Administrator is aware of the situation and he is holding talks with the pilots union to reach a solution soon. The unions have threatened to intensify the agitation if their demands are not met.